President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih emphasised on Sunday the significance of developing Addu City as the regional economic hub for the overall progress of the nation. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the Gan International Airport (GIA) expansion project, aimed at improving the primary gateway to the southern atolls.
During the ceremony held at GIA, the President highlighted the extensive history of the airport and stressed that it had yet to experience the same level of rapid development as before. He added that the 66-year delay in the GIA development project is sufficient evidence of this reality.
President Solih noted that under his administration, GIA would be developed with modern amenities to accommodate 1.5 million tourists. He further stated that this project is a testament to the longstanding and positive bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India.
During his address, the President highlighted several transformational development initiatives undertaken by his administration aimed at doubling the nation's economy within ten years. He underscored that the development of GIA was strategically designed to cater to future commerce and tourism needs, ensuring that the necessary services and infrastructure are in place for future expansion.
President Solih recognised the significance of the airport's development in enabling the smooth export of yellowfin tuna caught by fishermen in the southern atolls. He highlighted that the ongoing development of the Addu Fisheries Complex and the GIA cold storage cargo facility services would address several challenges faced by the fishing community, offering effective solutions to their current issues.
The President added that the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) is scheduled to commence development work in July, aiming to double its capacity for brine freezing from 50 to 100 metric tonnes. The MIFCO fish harbour is also expected to be operational by August, providing enhanced facilities for the fishing industry.
President Solih also highlighted the expansion of the integrated tourism development project in Addu City, which includes the development of five additional islands alongside Hankede. He noted the comprehensive nature of Addu City's development initiative, underscoring the concurrent implementation of numerous projects to ensure its successful realisation.
The President also announced that the administration had made the strategic decision to develop an airport on Beriyanfaru Island in the Raa Atoll as part of its ongoing endeavours to enhance air connectivity throughout the Maldives.
H.E. V. Muraleedharan, the Minister for State for External Affairs of the Republic of India, and H.E. Munu Mahawar, the High Commissioner of the Republic of India to the Republic of Maldives, attended the ceremony.
